Ester containing α -hydrogens undergo self condensation in presence of a strong base such as sodium ethoxide to form β -ketoesters. This reaction is called

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Ester containing α -hydrogens undergo self condensation in presence of a strong base such as sodium ethoxide to form β -ketoesters. This reaction is called Claisen condensation. C H 3 - C | | O - O C 2 H 5 + H - C α H 2 C O O C 2 H 5 → C 2 H 5 O - N a + C H 3 - C | | O - C α H 2 C O O C 2 H 5 A β -keto ester + C 2 H 5 O H Crossed-Claisen condensation is feasible only when one of the reactants has no α -hydrogen and is thus incapable of undergoing self condensation. For example